Taste of the North End -- with a Side of Charity

Whether you are visiting our wonderful city or live here, the North End poses a major dilemma: There are so many incredible places to dine, you could get agita trying to choose a restaurant. Fear not foodies; I have an agita-free solution that doesn't require Pepto-Bismol: Attend the Taste of the North End on May 10, and graze among more than 40 booths offering samples from many of the neighborhood's finest eateries. All of the great food will support some great causes. Proceeds benefit charitable organizations in the North End including elderly, education, and health programs.

The historic North End has been home to a succession of immigrants -- Irish, Jewish, Portuguese, and Italian -- but today it is primarily known as an Italian neighborhood and is beloved for its Italian bakeries, food shops, and restaurants. (Essential tourist info: While other cities have a "Little Italy," real Bostonians who know their canolis from their cannellinis would never refer to the area as anything but the North End.) The Taste event offers a rare opportunity to mangia to your heart's content (maybe "to your stomach's capacity" is a more apt phrase) among the dishes served by restaurants such as Aria Trattoria, Lucia Ristorante, Artu Rosticceria & Trattoria, and Tresca.

Whatever you do, save room for dessert. Two of the North End's legendary bakeries, Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry, will be represented. Come to think of it, if you attend the Taste you might want to pick up a bottle of Pepto-Bismol after all.

Taste of the North End Friday, May 10, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. DCR Steriti Memorial Ice Rink, 561 Commercial Street, Boston Includes appetizers, cheeses, entrees, desserts, wine, and beer Tickets are $79 if purchased on or before April 26 and $99 after that date.

Photo: Lucia Ristorante.

Author: Arthur Levine

Arthur Levine, who has been living in and enjoying the Boston area his whole life, is the HUBa HUBa blogger. He particularly takes pleasure in sharing his adventures and finds with others. He has written about his Boston and Massachusetts journeys for Boston.com, the Boston Herald, the Cape Cod Times, the Providence Journal, and other publications.

Some of Arthur's favorite things to do around the city include checking out a new dining spot during Dine Out Boston, catching upcoming movies at the Boston Film Festival, going to Fenway Park (during the 2013 World Series championship year, he finally got to see the Red Sox win a game there), taking in a summer show at the Bank of America Pavilion or at the Hatch Shell, and listening in as native Bostonians jabber using their unique patois.